A group of well-organized volunteers have looked after the 130-kilometre Avon Trail for five decades now.
Started by the efforts of the late Dr. Crosby Kirkpatrick in 1975, residents have devoted their time to ensuring the trails remain clear and safe, offering hiking and walking, and a chance to meet some new friends.
Tom Kimber with the Avon Trail club said 200 members keep an eye on a trail that runs from St. Marys in the west to Conestogo in the east.
Partnerships keep the trail available.
“We exist with the generosity of land owners, they give us permission to walk on their lands. We don’t own any property. We have handshake agreements.”
The four-season organization is hosting a 50th anniversary gala dinner Sept. 13 at Stratford Country Club.
Guest speaker is Adam Shoalts, an author and adventurer, nicknamed the ‘Canadian Indiana Jones’.
“He has an electrifying delivery. You won’t want to miss this.”
Also coming up is the 8th annual Wildwood Challenge, a 22-kilometre hike around Wildwood Lake, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Everyone who completes the challenge will get a Wildwood Challenge badge.
Kimber said the club is always looking for new members. Every Tuesday they meet for rambles, where a leader takes hikers through a section of the trail. It’s open to members and non-members.
Go to avontrail.ca for more information.
